Armed robbery suspect shot, killed on I-75

MARIETTA -- An armed robbery suspect was shot and killed on a busy expressway Sunday when he pointed a gun at officers attempting to take him into custody.

Lt. Jay Baker, Cherokee County Sheriff 's department spokesman, says it all started afterdeputies answered an armed robbery call at a convenience store located on Bells Ferry Road at Victoria Road in Woodstock.

Investigators learned that the description of the robbery suspect and vehicle matched information related to an earlier armed robbery in Cobb County.

Around 10 a.m., Woodstock police officers spotted the suspect's vehicle and followed it onto Interstate 575. After the suspect refused to pull over, a chase ensued that included officers from Cherokee and Cobb counties.

A PIT maneuver was employed to stop the suspect's vehicle on I-75 southbound, near the North Marietta Loop .

According to Baker, the driver pointed a gun at approaching officers after he was stopped. He was then shot and killed.

Southbound lanes were closed for several hours following the shooting. Traffic was backed-up at least five miles to Chastain Road.

A single left-shoulder lane was opened around 1 p.m., but traffic remained slow into the evening as the GBI continued to investigate.